What's On: September 2009 Archives

On Sunday 4th October Brunswick Organic Nursery is holding a sponsored bike ride and walk in support of the Lord Mayor's Charities. The charities this year have been chosen by John Galvin, our Bishopthorpe-based Lord Mayor, and are York Against Cancer together with Brunswick Nursery itself, which provides craftwork and horticultural opportunities for people with special needs.

The event starts at 11am from Brunswick nursery, and the route takes you along the cycle path for 6 or 12 miles (or less if you prefer!)

The 12 mile route takes you to Riccall and back, while on the 6 mile route you turn back at a refreshment point at the 3 mile mark.

Finish is back at the nursery, and everyone should be back no later than 4pm.

The Greyhound in Riccall is providing sandwiches at £2 per person, and tea and soft drinks will also be available. There will be light refreshments at the 3 mile point too.

You can download a registration form here, or get more details by dropping in at the nursery or giving them a call on 01904 701869.

If you don't feel up to all this activity, don't forget you can sponsor someone else to do it!

 

The wooden hoardings have been removed from the car park; the tarmac has been laid; the paint pots, saws and drills have disappeared - the 'new' Village Hall is open for action!  Earlier this year the Parish Council received a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to extend and improve the building and, judging from the comments I have heard, everyone is delighted at the result.  The Village Hall Committee can be justly proud of what has been achieved, in particular, Lisa Thornton who spearheaded the project with great success. Having said that, Lisa doesn't rest on her laurels; she told me that if anyone spots anything that needs altering or correcting, then let her know.

The two-storey extension to the front has enabled the entrance area to be enlarged and now has a lift and new staircase.  A corridor running parallel with the main hall allows access to the kitchen and new toilet facilities.  

Upstairs, the walls of the main meeting room are covered with a large mural depicting scenes of the village - look closer and you may even be able to recognise a few local characters!  The mural vibrates with colour and was painted by a group of enthusiastic residents. Just along the corridor, past another new toilet with baby-changing facilities, is the room once mysteriously known as the 'carpet room'.  If this room ever had a carpet, I've never seen it but, from now on, it will be the Bishopthorpe Community Archive Room.  

It is a little bare at present as members of the Bishopthorpe Local History Group are still sorting out furniture and storage for the collection of material that has been gathered - and which continues to grow.  When the room is straightened out, it is hoped that it will be opened to members of the public on a regular basis.  Those who wish to search for their Bishopthorpe ancestors; browse through photographs; research the history of their house or, indeed, any aspect of Bishopthorpe history, will be welcome.  There will be more news on this at a later date.

Looking back to Saturday, 5th September, the grand re-opening of the Hall took place and many villagers arrived to view the changes for the first time.

Now that the new and improved Village Hall is up and running there are some great new developments for the young people of Bishopthorpe. The Urbie bus has been visiting the village and supplying a much needed youth resource while the hall has been closed, but there's now a designated space in the hall so the Urbie bus is going out of service to be replaced by the new Youth Club.

The club meetings will continue to be run by the youth workers from the Urbie bus, and the big launch night is on 16th September. Helen Jarvis is one of the team and gives us a flavour of what it's all about...

"Bishopthorpe Youth club will be open 3 Wednesdays of every month between the times of 7-9pm at the village hall, providing a space that is safe and well equipped for the young people of Bishopthorpe.
There are three fully trained youth workers, Hayley, Claire and Helen(myself), there to answer all your questions and provide fun activities and workshops. 
These will include a DJ workshop within the first month of opening, so come down and try your hand at dj'ing! We will also have a variety of arts and sports equipment, information leaflets, and a Nintendo Wii. We will also be offering a well stocked tuck shop and on the launch night, on the 16th September there will be free snacks and refreshments including pizza!!!
All we ask is that you are between the ages of 11-19 and that you pay an admission fee of 30pence per week (where else can you have 2 hours of fun for that price???)"

 
For any further information please contact Helen Jarvis on 07767318145 or helen.jarvis@york.gov.uk